|
In the beginning, 1996
After years of prayer and seeking God’s will, a core of families from Randolph EFC, Harvest EFC and Trinity EFC began meeting together in Waupun for prayer and Bible study on Sunday nights during the summer of 1996. Once they were convinced that God was inviting them to join Him in a new local church ministry in Waupun, they began praying and searching for a Church Planter/Senior Pastor.
In August of 1996, this core of committed families extended a call to Jon & Beth Gaus to come and help them plant Waupun Evangelical Free Church. Shortly after Jon and Beth arrived, the core group canvassed many neighborhoods in Waupun seeking to find out why the local “un-churched” were “un-churched”! Armed with this revealing information, the core group began prayerfully and strategically planning how to reach the “un-churched” and provide a place of spiritual feeding for the already saved.
In November of 1996, after the Lord graciously provided the Waupun High School for weekly meetings, Waupun Evangelical Free Church held its first public worship service! A Small Group Ministry was launched immediately and has been an effective avenue for evangelism, fellowship and discipleship. Sunday morning attendance has continued to grow as the Lord has brought an increased number of saved and seekers through the church doors.
Highlights 1997-2001
In August of 1997, we held our first Baptismal Service with 14 believers publicly professing their faith in Jesus Christ through testimony and water baptism. During the same month the Lord graciously blessed the fellowship with 20 acres of land, debt free.
In August of 1998, Mike Giebink accepted the call to become associate pastor, and to address the areas of youth and small group ministries.
In January of 1999, we welcomed Pastor Roger Knowlton and his family to become WEFC’s 1st Senior Pastor.
In November of 2001, Wayne Watson came to Waupun to help us celebrate our 5th Anniversary.
Highlights of 2002
*In July of 2002, we voted to change our name to Edgewood Community Church.
*In August of 2002, Jeremy Thompson joined Edgewood’s staff as Youth Pastor.
*6th Anniversary Celebration including the Scott Krippayne Concert. *Our first service in the new building was October 27, 2002. *Fall-new ministry year theme-“Building a Community to Reach a Community”-Sermon Series: “Christianity, Fact or Fiction?” *Dedication/Open House on December 8, 2002
Highlights of 2003
March: First meeting of new monthly children’s ministry “Xtreme Kids”
April: 1st Pursue 301 Class * Each One Reach One Outreach (Easter culmination
Prayer, Fasting, Billy Graham “The Key to Personal Peace” distribution.
Goal: 650 attendance and 25 salvations – On Easter Sunday we had 582 in attendance and 31 indicated they received Christ!
Aug: Edgefest (first ever community festival outreach) followed by Sing Out III
Sept: 2nd Annual Hunter’s Night Out * New Ministry Year Theme “Living On Purpose” with sermon series: “Sermon on the Mount”
Oct: 8th Annual Fall Outreach at Fond du Lac County Park * Women’s Conference: Thrive Simulcast * 1st Thanksgiving Eve Service
Dec: Children’s Christmas Program * 1st Christmas Musical performed
Highlights of 2004
Jan: Thru March 12 church corporately did the 40 Days of Purpose, which was prefaced by 40 Days of Prayer. Coinciding with the 40 days we changed our Sunday service start times from 8:30 to 9:00 and from 10:15 to 10:45. We had 21 different small groups doing the 40 days together * Roger Knowlton’s Ordination service
Feb: Ministry Fair * Missions Fair
March: Celebration Sunday – Baptisms and Potluck * 12 Hours to the Cross Sermon Series – capped off by Easter Outreach 3 services with record 720 in attendance. 50 praying to receive Christ * April 18 – May 30 – Another Look Series (continuation on the Sermon on the Mount)
May: Mike Giebink’s Ordination
June: Waupun sees heavy rainfall on the 10th leading to flooding and on the 23rd a tornado hits the southern part of Waupun. New summer sermon series: Psalms for the Summer
July: Annual Baptism and Picnic – moved to the church due to excessive wetness at the Brandon Park
Aug: Youth Sunday * New Fall Small Groups – (12) “Better Together”
Sept: 2nd Annual Edgefest – 4th Annual SingOut * It’s Not Mine Sermon Series
Oct: ECC 9th Annual Fall Outreach at the Fond du Lac County P:ark
Nov: Eight Anniversary observed with 3 baptisms, testimonies and anniversary cake served between services * Thanksgiving Eve Service
Dec: Children’s Christmas Program * 2 Christmas Eve Services
Highlights of 2005
Jan: One Book One Body Reading Plan (joining many local churches in reading as a church, one select chapter per day) * Youth Groups took 52 people to Districts in Green Bay
Feb: Men’s Ministry hosted Night of Romance and also the Edge Fishery
March: Easter services with 688 in attendance * Ladies held a Spring Brunch * Youth Spring Missions Trip (26 people)
April: HighLife sponsored a Coffee House Concert featuring Matt Hoffland
May: Congregational vote taken with overwhelming support for Building Expansion and summer music intern
July: FM – Camp Edgewood * One Book One Body entered New Testament * Annual Baptism held in Brandon
Aug: FM – Olympics * Men’s Ministry Sportsmen’s Outreach * Edgefest 2005
Sept: 40 Days of Prayer for Building the Next Generation
Oct: 10th Annual Fall Festival at the Fond du Lac County Park * FM Monday night Kick-off * All Church Work Day * Building the Next Generation sermon Series
Nov: Building the Next Generation Campaign Banquet * 9th Anniversary Sunday welcomed 33 new members * Annual Celebration Meeting * Thanksgiving Eve Service
Dec: Children’s Christmas Pageant * Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Services
| 
